Priorities for translating goodwill between movement ecologists and conservation practitioners into effective collaboration

Rascha J. M. Nuijten, Todd E. Katzner, Andrew M. Allen, Allert I. Bijleveld, Tjalle Boorsma, Luca Börger, Francesca Cagnacci, Tom Hart, Michelle A. Henley, Richard M. Herren, Eva M. A. Kok, Bronwyn Maree, Bruno Nebe, David Shohami, Susanne Marieke Vogel, Paul Walker, Ignas M. A. Heitkönig, E. J. Milner‐Gulland

Research output: Contribution to journal/periodicalArticleScientificpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
55 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Addressing ongoing biodiversity loss requires collaboration between conservation scientists and practitioners. However, such collaboration has proved challenging. Despite the potential importance of tracking animal movements for conservation, reviews of the tracking literature have identified a gap between the academic discipline of movement ecology and its application to biodiversity conservation. Through structured conversations with movement ecologists and conservation practitioners, we aimed to understand whether the identified gap is also perceived in practice, and if so, what factors hamper collaboration and how these factors can be remediated. We found that both groups are motivated and willing to collaborate. However, because their motivations differ, there is potential for misunderstandings and miscommunications. In addition, external factors such as funder requirements, academic metrics, and journal scopes may limit the applicability of scientific results in a conservation setting. Potential solutions we identified included improved communication and better presentation of results, acknowledging each other's motivations and desired outputs, and adjustment of funder priorities. Addressing gaps between science and implementation can enhance collaboration and support conservation action to address the global biodiversity crisis more effectively.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12870
JournalConservation Science and Practice
Volume5
Issue number1
Early online date2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • GPS tracking
  • biodiversity crisis
  • biologging
  • interdisciplinary collaboration
  • thematic analysis
  • wildlife management

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